Hiring: Project Manager – Berkshire Grown

Berkshire Grown seeks a full time Program Manager to plan, implement, and evaluate programs and services for farmers, food buyers and other food and farm business members, and the public. The Program Manager will join a small, energetic leadership team focused on bringing Berkshire Grown to its next level of development in supporting Berkshire farming.

Berkshire Grown’s Mission

Berkshire Grown supports and promotes local agriculture as a vital part of the Berkshire community, economy, and landscape.

It cultivates a county-wide food economy and brings communities together to promote eating local to ensure that our farms are viable businesses. Berkshire Grown has become the premier advocate for farmers in Berkshire County and its programs over the past 19 years have branded locally grown food to create a stronger economic underpinning for local farmers.

Berkshire Grown has a staff of 2 full time and 1 part time employees: Executive Director, Program Manager, and Outreach / Membership Coordinator. There are additional consultants engaged for their expertise on specific projects throughout the year. Guided by a board of 18 volunteers, Berkshire Grown will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018. Berkshire Grown pioneered Farm-to-Table networking to help farmers make the business connections they need to prosper. It produces 6 winter farmers markets to extend the season for farmers and the community. Berkshire Grown produces workshops for farmers to learn from experts about marketing, labor, food safety, and more. Berkshire Grown publishes an annual Guide to Local Food & Farms as well as an online map to local food. Berkshire Grown’s Share the Bounty program buys shares in CSAs and gives the fresh food to local pantries and kitchens. Berkshire Grown brings the community and farmers together at two major fundraising events: the Spring Supper in March and the Harvest Supper in September. Collaboration and cooperation are significant values that guide Berkshire Grown’s work. Berkshire Grown is a founding member of The Massachusetts Coalition for Local Food and Farms. Locally, Berkshire Grown works collaboratively with BAV (Berkshire Agricultural Ventures) and a variety of community groups. Its annual budget is $283,000. For complete information, please visit berkshiregrown.org.

The Program Manager reports to the Executive Director and will supervise volunteers and interns.

Role of the Program Manager

The Program Manager is the principal liaison between area farmers and Berkshire Grown. As such, s/he is in ongoing contact with farmers to assess their needs and interests in order to develop programs/services that are responsive. The Manager designs, develops, and implements a variety of events and services to connect farmers to programs and opportunities that will enhance their agricultural practices and sales. The position offers an exciting opportunity to a creative problem-solver who is interested in improving the economic viability of farming in a New England community.

Responsibilities of the Program Manager

• Assess farmers’ needs; design and implement an annual survey
• Manage communication/outreach to farmers for all Berkshire Grown programming
• Produce workshops for farmers and an annual networking event
• Organize visits to farms for staff, board, donors, members
• Produce 6 Holiday and Winter Farmers Markets – in Williamstown and Great Barrington
• Manage and track grants; prepare reports for funders
• Produce e-newsletters for farmers highlighting resources and opportunities
• Represent Berkshire Grown at public and political gatherings
• Assist at all Berkshire Grown’s events
• Serve as Berkshire County liaison for the Healthy Incentives Program
• Update website with information, news, and events as they relate to farmers
• Act as Berkshire Grown’s liaison with local, regional, and national service providers (e.g. UMass Extension, USDA)
• Assist with the Guide to Local Food and Farms
• Orient farmers, food buyers, and producer members of Berkshire Grown
• Coordinate mentorships and technical assistance for farmers

The ideal candidate

The successful candidate is a creative self-starter, highly organized with excellent time management skills and an ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while paying close attention to details. The new Program Manager will have the ability to strategically resolve competing priorities and deadlines using Berkshire Grown’s mission and the organization’s priorities as the guiding factor.

While working independently, the new Program Manager will enjoy collaborating closely with colleagues within Berkshire Grown as well as among partner organizations. S/he will have a history of building positive and effective relationships with a wide array of people and individuals from diverse backgrounds including farmers, chefs, donors, and organization leaders.

In addition, the ideal candidate will have:

• Excellent communications skills both verbal and written to present Berkshire Grown’s work to multiple audiences
• Innovative ways for developing/expanding program ideas
• A warm and outgoing personality that is flexible and able to adapt to a broad variety of situations, people, and opportunities
• Several years’ experience working in a nonprofit organization
• Experience working in the sustainable agriculture field and/or with farmers preferred.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Skilled with Microsoft Office, WordPress, and Constant Contact, and experience and comfort working with a database.
• The ability to work flexible hours when evening and weekend work is required.
• A valid driver’s license and a car.

Compensation

The position will offer a competitive salary and a modest benefit package.

To apply

Review of applications will begin immediately. Please send a resume and, most importantly, a cover letter indicating how your experience directly relates to the description of the position to Barbara Zheutlin at Barbara@berkshiregrown.org. No phone calls please.

Berkshire Grown is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.